Draft bar



Oct. 20, 1931.

O. BERGEMANN DRAFT BAR Filed May 16, 1950 2 Sheets-Sheet l Inventor 0.7601 ,5 yeiilaiaiz A ltorney Oct. 20, 1931. o. BERGEMANN 1,828,385

DRAFT BAR Filed May 16. 1930 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 lllllilllllHIIIIHIHHIIHIIIHI' Inventor va Faye 02a 2222 By 2mm A Ilomey Patented Oct. 20, 1931 UNITED STATES PATEN T OFFI-CEI OSCAR BERGEMANN, OF GOOD THUNDER, MINNESOTA DRAFT BAR.

Application filed May 16,

This invention relates to an improved draft bar for use and association with farming machines and implements and it has more particular reference to a structure of this class .l which is referred to on the farm as a hay loader hitch.

Briefly stated, the novelty is predicated upon a yoke-like anchor which is securely fastened to the front axle of the towed vehicle (trailer or the like), and a novel draw bar which is associated with the lead or draft vehicle, wherein the bar structure is characterized by a novel automatically operable coupler. v

The specific details and their relative arrangements and associations will become more readily apparent from the following description and drawings.

In the drawings: Figure 1 is a plan View showing the ma or details of the draw bar, the yoke-like anchor, and other details.

Figure 2 is a longitudinal sectional View through the structure represented in 1gure 1.

Figure 3 is a cross sectional View taken approximately on the plane of the hne 33 of Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a perspective view of the anchorage yoke.

Figure 5 is a perspective View of the springpressed latch.

In the drawings, the reference character 6 in Figure 1 designates an axle having traction wheels 7 at the ends thereof. In accordance with the present invention, this axle is equipped with suitable U-bolt clamps 8 with which the anchorage yoke or frame 9 is con neeted. This part 9 comprises a substantially V-shaped bight portion 10 and laterally di rected end arms 11.

The arms 11 are disposed in spaced parallelism and adjustably connected with the U- bolts of the clamps 8. The apex portion of the V-shaped part 10 is centrally located with respect to the wheels and axles. This V- shaped arrangement is for automatically centering the draw bar and its coupling means. The draw bar is generally represented by the numeral 12. It is composed shoulders between which a 1330. Serial No. 452,994;

of a-pair of spaced parallel side members 13 suitably constructed at their front ends for connection-with the motive or lead vehicle.

The principal feature to be noted here is the automatic coupler which comprises a u retaining cam 14. This is of segmental configuration and is pivotally mounted as at 15, between the bar members 13. It includes a cam edge 16at the front which co-operates a with an elongated guide finger 17 in defining '60 'a keeper seat forreception of the apex portion" of the frame 9, as seen clearly in Figure 2. i i

The numerals 18 and 19 designate spaced pivoted holding 06 latch 20 is movable. This latch is connected with an operating rod 21 slidable through a guide in the form of a cross piece 22 and spring 23 surrounds the rod between the cross piece and the connecting point of the "'7 rod 21 with the intermediate portion of the latch 20. Thenumeral 23 designates a return spring fastened at one end to the retainer'l l and at the opposite end between the bars 13. The numeral 25 designates the keeper latch. This is pivoted as at 26 be tween-v the bar' members and has its free swingable end co-operable with the intermediate portion of the finger 17. The numeral 27 designates the retaining spring which is of the curvature represented in Figure 5 to allow it to bear on the adjacent bar member 13. 1 t i The numeral 28 designates a pull cord leading to a suitable point of operation on '3 the lead vehicle (not shown.) and connected at its'rear end with the trip rod 21. Incidently, the trip. rod 21-is connected with the holding latch 22 at;a pointto facilitate releasing. Therefore the latch 20 is sometimes referred to as the release latch.

- It is obvious thatwhen the coupler (generallyconstrued) is brought into alinement with the anchorage frame 9, it is naturally centered and automatically engaged with the frame. The frame passes between the latch or pawl 25 and the finger 17 thus seatingitself in the keeper recess or pocket as shown in Figure2. When it is desired to disengage the coupler, the cord 28 is pulled, thus ac- 5' tuating the trip pin 21 against the tension of the spring 23 and disengaging the release latch 20 to allow the cam 14 to swing on its pivot a distance sufficiently far to permlt disengagement with the frame.

The return spring 24 comes into play for returning the cam 14 to retaining position.

From the foregoing description and drawings, it will be seen that the gist of the invention is in the two-part draw bar suitably connected at one end to the propulsion or lead vehicle (not shown) together with the spring returned, manually released, and automatically engaged coupler having selfcentering relationship and engagement with the adjustable V-shaped frame on the trailer.

In practice, I have found it expedient to provide a suspension eye at 25 and to attach thereto a hoist cable or rope 26, whereby to permit the vertical adjustment of the draw bar to facilitate alinement thereof with anchoring frames of Varying elevations. In other words, this rope 26 facilitates in the handling and manipulation of the invention.

It is thought that persons skilled in the art to which the invention relates will be able to obtain a clear understanding of the invention after considering the description in connection with the drawings. Therefore, a more lengthy description is regarded as unnecessary. Minor changes in shape, size, and rearrangement of details coming within the field of invention claimed may be resorted to in actual practice if desired.

I claim:

1. In a coupling device, a draw bar, a coupling head eccentrically pivoted to the draw bar for swinging movement and having its outer face provided with an arcuate surface and its inner face above and at one side of the pivot with a keeper seat and a lock shoulder below the seat and pivot, a cam surface leading toward said seat, a spring holding the coupler head in a normal drawing position, a pivoted lock pawl normally engaging the lock shoulder, and means for actuating the lock pawl.

2. In a coupling device, a draw bar, a coupling head eccentrically pivoted to the draw bar for swinging movement and having its outer face provided with a cam surface and its inner face provided with a keeper seat above and at one side of the pivot and a lock shoulder below the pivot, and a cam surface leading toward the seat, and a keeper and guide finger extending forwardly of the keeper seat, a pivoted lock pawl for engaging the lock shoulder, means for actuating the pawl, means normally holding the head in a drawing position, and a pivoted keeper pawl normally urged toward the guide finger and in front of the keeper seat.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature.

OSCAR BERGEMANN. 

